Blake Lively Reflects on the Emotional Journey of It Ends With Us: “The Most Challenging Experience of My Career”
Blake Lively says taking on the role of Lily Bloom in It Ends With Us was unlike any other experience in her career. The film, based on Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, dives into the emotional complexity of a woman trapped in a turbulent relationship. Lively revealed that portraying such a multifaceted character was both daunting and rewarding.
“This movie was such a challenge because you have scenes that are deeply painful, traumatic, and physical. But you also have scenes that are full of levity, light, and romance,” Lively shared with Yahoo Entertainment. “Having the opportunity to take a character through all of these emotional highs and lows is something I’ll never take for granted. It’s incredibly rewarding to go on that emotional journey, to experience these extremes in real time.”
As both the star and producer of the film, Lively had to navigate the pressure of adapting a story with a massive fanbase, particularly from the BookTok community, where It Ends With Us has racked up billions of views. However, with the popularity came controversy. Critics have debated whether the novel romanticizes abuse, or if it simply portrays the painful cycle of domestic violence. The movie does not shy away from these themes, offering a raw portrayal of Lily’s journey.
Lively explained, “For the audience, what’s so beautiful is that when Lily starts to see cracks in the relationship, she doesn’t want to believe it. Colleen does that so well in her book, and I think we translated that well in the movie too, where you feel like, ‘Oh no, no, no, no, no,’ trying to avoid the truth.”
The movie also features Justin Baldoni, who plays Ryle, Lily’s troubled love interest. Baldoni not only stars in the film but also directed it, and he purchased the rights to the book. Lively spoke about the complexity of the character, saying, “Normally, when I see a character like Ryle, you can tell right away what’s going to happen. But with Ryle, Colleen wrote him in a way that makes you understand why Lily stays. It’s not about ignoring red flags—it’s about seeing the cracks and wanting to believe in a different reality.”
Isabela Ferrer, who portrays a young Lily Bloom, shared her thoughts on taking on such a significant role. “It was a huge responsibility to deliver a performance that fans would appreciate. Lily’s character is strong and complex, even from a young age, so stepping into that role was daunting but exciting,” she said. Ferrer also felt fortunate to have such a supportive team, including co-star Alex Neustaedter, who plays young Atlas, Lily’s childhood love.
Ferrer also expressed how important Hoover’s novel was to her process. “Having the book felt like an extra script,” she said. “It allowed me to really dive into the narrative and immerse myself in the character’s journey.”
With its powerful performances and emotionally charged storyline, It Ends With Us is sure to resonate with audiences as it navigates the complexities of love, trauma, and healing.
Leave feedback about this